Basketball in Africa

31 January 2011

UGANDA : Team Uganda beats Select side in trials

Friday results Uganda 78-67 Select Women: Select 31-63 Uganda

Team Uganda seems to be going from strength as they improved their shooting percentage in a trial game against a Select side on Friday night ahead of the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda from February 7-12.

The men’s side survived a barrage from Warriors guard Ronnie Kasewu, who had 19 points and four assists, to pass their latest test 78-67.Kasewu pulled of the national team due to an ankle injury earlier this month but looked to have recovered fully though will not be considered for selection.

Coming off a 72-60 victory over UCU Canons when they shot 17 of 25 from the field and 10 of 23 from downtown, coach Gad Eteu’s side improved to making 25 of 33 and four of eight respectively.

Shooting emphasisEteu went on to stress the importance of the week coming ahead. “They gave us a very good challenge. We depended a lot on lay ups and lots of transitional basketball which many of my players do with their respective clubs.”

Adding; “The remaining will be spent trying to shoot as much as we can. Some attention will also be paid to mental preparation since our next game might come in the tournament itself.”

29 January 2011

KENYA : Western to host Term Two schools games

By SAMMY KITULA

The national secondary schools Term One games will return to Western Province after a seven-year break.The games which include basketball and hockey will be held at either Mumias or Kakamega in April.According to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) assistant fixture secretary George Omondi, an AGM planned for next week will decide on the venue.“The national games will be held in Western Province in either Kakamega or Mumias. It is after our AGM to be held early next month, that we will be able to settle for the town,” said Omondi.

First title of the season

Term Two ‘A’ finals (athletics, rugby 15s and handball) will be held in Meru, while Nairobi will play host the Term 2B edition comprising football, volleyball and racket games.At the same time, National Talent Academy centre, Upper Hill Secondary School won their first title of the season, beating Starehe Boys Centre 38-12 in the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) basketball Open on Sunday.

In the girls’ category visitors, Shimba Hills from Kwale stunned Buruburu 30-25 in a come-from-behind victory.

Both teams began strongly, with offence prevailing over defence for both sides. Upper Hill’s ‘Twin towers’ Tony Majok and Philip Dot (both with seven points) began strongly, as the hosts’ fast break got into gear early.

But it was the Shimba ‘A’ versus Buruburu final, which will be forever etched in the visitors’ minds. After trailing from the opening whistle, Shimba Hill produced one of those memorable comebacks with only 56 seconds leftto deny Buruburu.

28 January 2011

(by Eurobasket News) El Ettehad El Sakandary from Egypt overcame Al-Ittihad from Syria to reach the Semifinals of the Dubai International Basketball Championship 2011. El Ettehad El Sakandary needed 81:66 win to meet Sagesse from Lebanon in the Semifinal. Both teams nailed 12 points each in the first period, while the team from Egypt produced a 24-16 to keep the score for good. In another Semifinal Smart Gilas from Philippines will face Al-Wahda.

LIBYA : D1 Round 9: Shabab beats Madina in a derby game

(by Eurobasket News) The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Tripoli: Shabab (#8) and Madina (#6). Madina was defeated at home 68-74 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Shabab (3-5) moved-up to sixth place. Madina at the other side dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Hilal. Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Benghazi: Ahli Benghazi (#1) and Hilal (#7). Hilal was defeated at home 67-75 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Ahli Benghazi maintains first place with 7-1 record, which they share with Ahli Tripoli. Hilal lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Madina. The game in Almarj supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Ahli Tripoli (7-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Morog (4-5). Ahli Tripoli smashed Morog 84-53 on Thursday. Ahli Tripoli have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ahli Benghazi. Loser Morog keeps the fifth place with five games lost. Another exciting game was again a derby match of two teams from Tripoli: Ittihad (#4) and Yarmook (#9). Yarmook was defeated at home 68-83 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Ittihad have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Nasr. Yarmook lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost.

In the last game of round 9 Nasr defeated Jazeera in Benghazi 72-62.

Jazeera - Nasr 62-72

There was no surprise in Zwara where 10th ranked Jazeera (1-8) was defeated by third ranked Nasr (7-2) 72-62. Nasr maintains third place with 7-2 record having just -1 point less than leader Ahli Benghazi, which they share with Ittihad. Jazeera lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. gschID: 116403

Yarmook - Ittihad 68-83

Another exciting game was again a derby match of two teams from Tripoli: Ittihad (#4) and Yarmook (#9). Yarmook was defeated at home 68-83 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Ittihad have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Nasr. Yarmook lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost. gschID: 116404

Madina - Shabab 68-74

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Tripoli: Shabab (#8) and Madina (#6). Madina was defeated at home 68-74 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Shabab (3-5) moved-up to sixth place. Madina at the other side dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Hilal. gschID: 116405

Morog - Ahli Tripoli 53-84

The game in Almarj supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Ahli Tripoli (7-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Morog (4-5). Ahli Tripoli smashed Morog 84-53 on Thursday. Ahli Tripoli have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ahli Benghazi. Loser Morog keeps the fifth place with five games lost.

Hilal - Ahli Benghazi 67-75

Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Benghazi: Ahli Benghazi (#1) and Hilal (#7). Hilal was defeated at home 67-75 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Ahli Benghazi maintains first place with 7-1 record, which they share with Ahli Tripoli. Hilal lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Madina. gschID: 116402

Announcing the provisional squads, TBF acting secretary general Michael Maluwe said the men’s team comprised 23 ace players while the women’s side had 15 players. Maluwe said both teams were to start fine-tuning their skills yesterday evening, adding that each side would be trimmed to 12 players before flying to Kigali, Rwanda where the tournament will take place from February 7 to 12.“We considered many criteria before selecting the players and we believe the ones we’ve picked will represent the country well in Kigali,” he said.Even so, the national teams’ squads have not changed from the ones that flopped in the last editions of the tournament.Thus it remains to be seen whether they will outdo their opponents this time around and win respect for Tanzania.

UGANDA : Zone V teams get another chance to impress coaches

Today at YMCA Uganda v Miracle (8pm) WomenSelect v Uganda (6pm) Like many would expect, preparation for any event – personal or public – meets extra scrutiny and the two national basketball teams cannot expect less.

The Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship is coming fast and this evening presents an essential step in laying the groundwork with trial games for both men and women at YMCA court, Wandegeya. Miracle Eagles will offer the challenge for the men’s team that showed grit to overcome UCU Canons 72-60 last Saturday whereas the women have another select side in their sights following a 73-45 rout ahead of the February 7-12 event in Kigali, Rwanda.

The men swung the ball impressively in the first two periods against UCU, tried out the full court press in the third and were almost left to fend for themselves without instructions when the game was tied at 60-all in the final quarter. However, the biggest worry for coach Gad Eteu is that his team did not make many of their forays count in terms of converting shots. “Shooting just needs more practice and guys will start to sink those soon,” Eteu said.

Forwards Philip Wakimwero, Isaac Afidra, captain Stephen Omony and Norman Blick desperately need this as shooting practice since the team’s cry for three trial games may not materialise.

27 January 2011

EGYPT : El Ettehad El Sakandary reach the Quarterfinal stage

El Ettehad El Sakandary reach the Quarterfinal stage at the Dubai International Basketball Championship 2011. The team from Egypt will play tonight Al-Ittihad from Syria for the Semifinal birth. In Day 1 El Ettehad El Sakandary overcame Al Sharja from the United Arab Emirates 85:77. The winners started with 20-18 lead and increased the lead by the end of the game. In the second game of the tournament Al Etihad Egypt handed Smart Gilas Philippines first 85:72 loss. The team from Egypt started with 23-18 in the first period and then increased to 43:23 at the halftime. In the third quarter Smart Gilas managed to reduce a bit to 53:70, but the finial result was 85:72 for the African team. Al-Wahda from Syria outscored El Ettehad El Sakandary 88:85 in day 3 of the tournament. Although the team from Egypt led 23-19 after the first 10 minutes, they lost the second frame 15-25. On January 24th El Ettehad El Sakandary beat Anibal from Lebanon 77:73 to reach the 1/4 Finals.

TANZANIA : South Korea donates basketball gear worth Sh6m

Zaina Malongo, The Citizen

Dar es Salaam. The development thrust of basketball received a further fillip yesterday when the South Korea embassy handed over sports gear to the ministry of Information, Youth, Sports and Culture.The symbolic ceremony of donation of the gear estimated at Sh6 million ($4000) was chaired by a South Korean lawmaker, Yoon-Sun Cho, and witnessed by assistant Sports Director Juliana Yassoda.Speaking at a news conference here, Yoon-Sun said the 200 balls handed over to the ministry were part of their progressive plan to lift the standard of the sport in the country.“This is just the beginning, we still have a lot to support in the next phase, I hope it will help rise basketball excitement among the youth,” he said.He added: “Tanzania has many talented players who fail to make the grades because of lacking basic equipments, but through this programme, I’m confident more stars will be unearthed.”For his part, Yassoda expressed her gratitude to the South Korea government for the support, voicing optimism that the sports gear would help net a new crop of gifted players.“We’ve several tournaments running in schools, therefore it’s my belief that these balls will be a catalyst for the development of basketball,” Yasoda said.

Besides, the outspoken ministry official called on local companies to come forward and support various sports.

26 January 2011

TANZANIA : TBF sets sights on Zone Five tournament

Zaina MalongoThe Citizen Correspondent

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) has embarked on picking the gifted youth, a move meant to form a formidable national team for the Zone V tourney planned for Kigali, Rwanda early next month.Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, TBF chairman Phares Magesa said the federation was content with the level of basketball standard in the country and expressed optimism to sparkle in the forthcoming event.Magesa said the TBF plans to select a provisional squad comprising youthful players, who would later be trimmed before departing to the Rwandan capital.“We want our presence to be felt in the Zone V tournament that’s why we looking for the most brilliant young players in the country.“Our rivals have started shaping up for the tournament, but considering the standard displayed by our youngsters, I’m confident that we’ll have the squad to reckon with,” he observed.

The official said after hosting two clinics conducted by Memphis Grizzlies shot-blocker Hasheem Thabeet and former NBA star Steve Smith, the number of youngsters interested in playing basketball has shot up tremendously.“We are proud of the clinics we hosted last year, they unearthed many gifted players and we’re looking forward to integrating most of them in the squad for the Kigali event,” he said.

According to him, the federation would unveil names of the national coaches plus the head of delegation today.

TANZANIA : Basketball squad gears up for Kigali

Tanzania national basketball teams are expected to board Kigali-bound flight on February 4 to compete in the Africa Zone v championships.

A gender-balanced squad comprising 24 players will be under coach Evarist Mapunda.Tanzania Basketball Federation’s (TBF)secretary general Alexander Msofe said the team leave almost three days ahead of the week-long championships.Msofe said an official announcement of the full line-up of players and officials chosen for the Kigali event would be made at a press conference to be held in Dar es Salaam today.The TBF officials hinted that the teams’ training sessions is expected to begin this afternoon.Players earmarked for the trip would attend the sessions twice daily at the national Indoor Stadium Dar es Salaam.“We need to start the training the soonest as we are running behind the schedule”, said Msofe.

On the other side of the coin, Msofe said despite setting up the traveling date still his sports organ needs to be facilitated with additional funds for an effective teams’ preparations.Tanzania has been competing in the zonal championship without failure for more than four consecutive editions without success.

UGANDA : Mubiru to shoulder burden in Rwanda

By Usher Komugisha

WELL known for his trademark celebration imitating Usain Bolt and Celtics’ Rasheed Wallace, Power’s Robert Mubiru has to transform flair into results at the Zone V All Africa Nations qualifiers in Rwanda, February 7-12.

It might not be of much significance, but the 6’5” tall centre was the first league player to dunk in the newly refurbished Lugogo Indoor stadium last year. With all that on his profile, Mubiru will be in full pursuit to continue and seek more honours at international level as he makes his debut for team Uganda just two weeks from now. Who knows he could eventually lead Uganda to the London Olympics in 2012. With a depleted bench in his position, Mubiru should sure use this opportunity to put his body size to maximum use and pick both offensive and defensive rebounds.

This will not be new to the former goal keeper who picked crucial rebounds over the 6”9 Senegalese centre Mamadou Ndiaye at the 2008 All Africa Inter-university Games in Kampala. However, with Brian Ssentongo expected back into the camp after his apology to the team manager was accepted, coach Gad Eteu has to work with both centres to stay on track.

25 January 2011

TANZANIA : JKT and Pazi set pace in RBA League

By Brown Msyanihttp://www.thecitizen.co.tz

Dar es Salaam. JKT had a field day on Sunday following their impressive victory over Hooplife in the ongoing Regional Basketball League (RBA).JKT’s dominance in the game was obvious from the first whistle as they annihilated the newly promoted outfit 146-38 at the National Indoor Stadium.Charles Makene was at his best for the former champions after burying 46 points while his teammate Francis Mlewa added 29 to put the score beyond Hooplife’s reach. The game, which looked more of a training session, saw JKT finish the first quarter with a convincing 28-5 lead.Hooplife came into the game in the second quarter and pressed forward, but they lacked muscles to unsettle the JKT defence manned by Neville Sita, Mkumbo Mgendi and Frank Simkoko. JKT swooped in the final minutes of the second quarter to make the scoreboard read 69-12 in their favour.The winners added 25 points in the third quarter, leaving the inexperienced opponents thinking about how to overturn the deficit.

Basketball fans who turned up at the venue also witnessed a closely fought match pitting Pazi against Oilers. The equally contested match saw Pazi rally to edge out Oilers 81-78.Oilers, who led 40-38 until the breather, lost steam in the second half to allow their opponents claim the victory. Pazi notched 20 points in the third quarter compared to 14 chalked by Oilers. The former champions held on to seal a wafer thin win.Ladislaus Ikunguru buried 19 points for Pazi before Daniel Muya added 13 points. Oilers ace Lusajo Samuel scored 24 points.

UGANDA : Chance to convince coaches ahead of final selection

It may not be even close to the competition Team Uganda could face in hosts Rwanda, Egypt and Kenya at the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship but half a loaf is better than none.

This evening, the national men’s and women’s teams will test two weeks of sacred training at UCU, Mukono in a fundraising game at the YMCA courts in Wandegeya. Much as Fuba is aiming to get funds for the February 7-14 tournament, it’s different for the 14 players on either side seeking to skew the coaches’ minds in their favour.

Coach Gad Eteu’s men’s team face UCU Canons in the late game superseding the women’s side, tutored by Mandy Juruni, clash with a select side. Centre Robert Mubiru skipped training this week due to family obligations and graduation at Makerere University which opens a window for Edwin Kateregga to make the grade.

Afidra exploitedIn training, power forward Isaac Afidra has been exploited as an option to help out Mubiru in case the team goes in with only one big man and an avalanche of guards. For UCU, guard Sudi Ulanga and Kenyan forward Martin Okwako will surely be the go-to men having been in training since joining the institution earlier this month from Falcons and Kyambogo Warriors respectively. The women’s game is at 6 p.m.

21 January 2011

TANZANIA : Savio, United sparkle in RBA league

Dar es Salaam. As the Dar es Salaam basketball league gathers pace, Savio and Chang’ombe United are relishing their magnificent start to the regional championship.

The league enters into the third round at the Indoor Stadium this weekend with the two giant teams still unbeaten.Savio, the defending champions, began their title defence quest with a 49-32 victory over Pazi before posting a supremely convincing 75-42 win over PTW in the second game.Chang’ombe embarked on the league with a 77-62 win over Chui and went on to punish Airwing Boys 84-55 last weekend.

In women’s league, Lady Lioness and Jeshi Stars are the teams that are highly tipped for the title having established an early lead.The Lioness beat Vijana Queens 67-47 in their second match after being gifted a walkover against CMTU.Defending champions Jeshi Stars clobbered their traditional rivals JKT 51-43 in their opener, and stand a big chance to win their next game.

UGANDA : Omony named Zone V captain

Stephen Omony is set to lead the Uganda men’s basketball team at the Fiba Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda next month after being named captain.

The decision to hand him the leadership was announced by coaches Gad Eteu and Timothy Odeke on Wednesday night after a practice session at UCU, Mukono.

Miracle Eagles’ Omony, one of the most heralded Ugandan basketball players over the past decade, will be assisted by point guard Ben Komakech. “In Stephen, the team gets a very dedicated person that everyone can learn from,” Eteu explained in appointing the small forward, also a two-time Most Valuable Player.

Skipped trainingHe piped DMark Power stars Isaac Afidra and Norman Blick after the duo skipped training over the weekend due to appointments known to the team management.

Omony’s selection is not as surprising as Komakech’s since the latter rarely speaks with passion and often concentrates on doing his job which he excels at. “This is not about only this Zone V but we are looking at the long term future of the team that has several young players and Ben can help bridge that gap well,” Eteu commented.

The two teams – men and women – also received belated news of the postponement of the tournament from February 1-6 to 7-14 even though organizers never gave any concrete reasons. “Of course, it gives more time to prepare since we started late and hopefully, we can utilize the bonus time to our advantage,” he reasoned. Both Eteu and the women’s coach Mandy Juruni, assisted by Hamza Nyambogo, retained 14 players in training to break away from the assertion of naming their final teams of 12 this week.

Juruni will appoint a skipper this weekend. Meanwhile, Team Uganda will play trial games at YMCA Court, Wandegeya tomorrow evening in a bid to raise funds for the trip. The women’s squad will also face a select side.

20 January 2011

ZAMBIA : ‘Lack of exposure cost basketball team’

ZAMBIA men basketball coach, Lovemore Sikaale says his team failed to qualify for the 2011-All African Games (AAG) in Mozambique as it lacked competitiveness advantage to challenge for honours at the highest level.Sikaale said in an interview yesterday that his team may have performed badly during the qualifiers for the Maputo pan-African Games in South Africa last week but he was happy with the performance, given that the team did not have adequate preparations and international exposure.He said Zambia had a good side but lacked competitiveness and did not have a serious residential camping that other national teams had, adding that the squad went for the qualifiers without playing a competitive game in the past four years.Sikaale said there was need for the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) to put a deliberate plan in place when preparing for international tournaments.“We need to do our homework before participating in such competitions because we have not played competitively in a long time and it becomes difficult to challenge at that high level. People were asking how we failed to win matches despite playing well and it all goes back to us not being very active on the international stage,” he said.He expressed hope that his team had what it took to challenge at the highest level as long as the team was given enough exposure given to countries like Mozambique and South Africa ahead of big tournaments.Sikaale said there was need to put in place programmes aimed at grooming future players for certain tournaments if the country was to start performing well at major competitions. The future of Zambian basketball was bright.Zambia lost to Mozambique and Zimbabwe 86-77 and 69-33, respectively, and lost the crucial tie to South Africa 75-73 but made some amends, beating Malawi, but the result came rather too late to salvage the needed points.

19 January 2011

NIGERIA : U19 women: Coach must defend World Championship programme

Head Coach of the nigerian U19 national women team, Adewumi Aderemi is expected to defend the programme he submitted to the technical committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF ahead the 2011 FIBA World U19 Championship for Women holding in Chile.

The technical committee is said to be satisfied with the programme put forward by Coach Aderemi and have recommended that the NBBF hold a final discussion with the women cadet coach on ways of successful implementation of the programme.

Nigeria bagged one of the ticket to represent Africa at the FIBA World U19 Championship slated for South Africa nation – Chile in July this year after finishing second behind Egypt at the FIBA Africa Championship for U18 Women held in Cairo, Egypt in 2010.

UGANDA : No surprises in national team selection

There were hardly any surprise omissions as Team Uganda took the first major step in finding the right blend for the final 12-man squad for the Fiba Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda early next month.

Isaac Luggude (DMark Power), Mark Opio (Charging Rhino) and Caeser Kizito (Miracle Eagles) were excluded as the men’s team was trimmed to 14 players following a two-and-half-hour workout on Monday night at UCU, Mukono.

Coach Gad Eteu and his assistant Timothy Odeke still have a job to do with the final squad set to be named tonight. “I think we have a very good idea of what we want the team to do and players understand our philosophy,” Eteu said. Unlike the initial summons when he threw tantrums for being ignored before he was included as a reserve, Luggude took this latest axe within his stride.

Eagles’ teammates Brian Ssentongo and Edwin Kateregga will fight for one of the final two slots whereas UCU Canons guard Ivan Enabu and Power small forward Boniface Okello are also in shootout for the other place which could also drag Isaac Afidra in. The latter, voted basketball player of the year by sports scribes, is yet to regain his shooting prowess having struggled with a calf injury over the last year.

Though, Eteu couldn’t admit that the rest of the places are decided now, he gave bold hints. “Jimmy and (his younger brother) Emmanuel Enabu have worked hard in training so far. Their link up play with Stephen (Omony) has also been good for the team.” If both the younger Enabus are selected, then Ivan, the eldest of the three and Most Valuable Player (MVP) when Uganda hosted and won the event in 2005, is likely to miss out.

UGANDA : FUBA gets Zone 5 financial boost

By Charles Mutebi

BASKETBALL governing body FUBA have received a major boost ahead of the Zone Five All Africa National Qualifiers after getting a considerable financial commitment that will go some way in easing their cash woes.

FUBA are way short of the sh60m they need to facilitate Uganda ’s men and women’s teams in the regional competition that will take place in Rwanda, February 1- 6.

However, the situation is set to significantly improve after soft drink giant Sprite offered sh55m, some of which will be used for the Zone Five Qualifiers.

18 January 2011

TANZANIA : Basketball team for zonal tourney

The national basketball team is expected to set up a training camp in Dar es Salaam on Thursday ahead of the Africa Zone five tournament that gets underway in Kigali on February 8.

Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) secretary general Alexander Msofe said the tourney has attracted several teams from the continent.Msofe said coach Evarist Mapunda has been earmarked to drill the gender balanced team.The training sessions would be conducted at a venue to be known today as the TBF official was still making final preparations by the time we went to press.Msofe said the major headache is finding adequate sponsorship for the team to travel to Kigali and meet other cost during their stay.Should the team board a flight to Kigali, then Msofe said an estimated 25m/- might be in need to meet the expenditures for the teams.Meanwhile, Msofe said the basketball clinic which was scheduled to start on February 25 in Arusha has been pushed back for three more days.

The reason for postponement is based on inviting more players to join the clinic.

National team players (men and women) resume training for the Fiba Zone V Nations Championship this evening at UCU, Mukono following a weekend of celebration.

From the annual basketball awards on Friday night at Imperial Royale Hotel, champions DMark Power, the bulk of whom are part of the men’s national team, held their party in Entebbe on Saturday.

Power stars Ben Komakech (play-offs) and Norman Blick won the Most Valuable Player’s awards for the play-offs and regular season respectively while the team collected a Sh3m prize from MTN.

Point guard Emmanuel Enabu was voted rookie of the year while Joseph Ikong took the top scorer’s gong as Power clinched a fourth league title after a thrilling 4-3 finals victory over Warriors. “I am glad to have won an award but I think each one of my teammate deserved it too,” Blick said to sum up their dominance.

It was another significant step for basketball with Fuba introducing awards for rookies, most promising coach and best coach. The latter went to UCU Canons’ Nick Natuhereza and Charging Rhino’s John Omondi. Of the 34 trophies handed out, women’s division champions UCU Lady Canons left with happy faces.

Maureen Amoding took the postseason MVP award whereas teammate Lorraine Akinyi took the top scorers’ award. KIU Rangers’ Judith Nansobya is now the reigning regular season MVP.

17 January 2011

ZONA VI : Curtains Fall on FIBA Zone VI Qualifiers

AS the curtain closed on the successful Fiba Zone VI Games for both men and women on Saturday held at the University of Pretoria’s indoor sports centre, the South African basketball should have lots to cheer about with the men’s team qualifying for the All Africa Games to be hosted in Mozambique.

The South African men’s senior team were unfortunate, though, to miss out on qualification for the Fiba African Championship or Afrobasket, to be held in the Ivory Coast after being edged out 78-74 by their more polished Mozambican opponents the last game of the competition at the weekend.Mozambique were lead to victory by a game-high 18 points by forward Ocatvio Mogolico and had seven rebounds four of which came at the offensive end in the game, while his teammates, Custodio Muchata, Stelio Nualia and Selvio Nuaila scored 15, 13 and 11 points respectively. While South Africa where given a fighting chance by point guard Vincent Ntunja and centre Cedric Kalombo, who both scored 15 points in the game.

South Africa also struggled with the Mozambican attack as the team collected 36 team fouls -nine which came in the first stanza – compared to the 21 recorded by their neighbours and the team fouls proved to be their undoing at the end of the game with, Neo Mothiba, Thabo Letsebe, Thabang Kgwedi and Kalombo, who all collecting five team fouls and thus being ejected from the game in the fourth quarter.

Mozambique took charge of the game in the first quarter taking a 14-12 lead, but South Africa would come back strongly in the second period, with Kalombo, unleashing his full repertoire of basketball skills scoring seven points, four coming from inside the perimeter and a three pointer, where he beat a Mozambican opponent with a between the legs crossover and then he positioned himself to score. Ntunja, who came off the bench and offered explosive penetrating runs into the Mozambican defence to notch up six points as South Africa took a 35-32 lead going into the penultimate quarter.

South Africa started the quarter well and looked good for their lead and Kalombo, who was three for three from outside the perimeter scored to extend the host nation’s lead. Ntunja scored a two pointer but was fouled and completed his three point play at the line. But at 55-46 South Africa’s Achilles Heel came back to haunt them as the foul count increased and Mozambique started growing in confidence they started making runs into the homeside’s defence.

Two three pointers by Letela and Augusto Motos brought the visitors back into the game and with the scores at 57- 54 and it was make or break for both sides going into the final quarter. South Africa found themselves on the backfoot as Kalombo, fouled after accumilating five fouls as the hosts began to breakdown on defence and were outscored by 24 points to 17 as Africa went on to lose three more players, thus ending whatever hope they had of beating Mozambique and also losing out on qualifying for the Afrobasket competition.

Meanwhile in an earlier game also on Saturday night the South African senior women’s team lost again to the Zimbabwean counterparts 53-49 in a game which the hosts needed to win to qualify for the All Africa Games.

With Mozambique already qualified as hosts South Africa had to battle it out with their cross border neighbours for a spot in the Games. The hosts battled hard with Nosipho Njokweni and Philadelphia scoring 13 and 10 points for the ladies but it was not be as the Zimbabweans, who were lead in scoring by Dorcas Marondera with 14 points, Rachel Makoni and Charity Chigumba who both scored 11 points, at the end had just enough fire power to carry them through to victory and winning themselves a ticket to Mozambique to compete in the women’s Baketball competition of the All Africa Games

16 January 2011

LIBYA : AL-ahly Bengize beat AL halal 75-67

(by Wasim Baruni)africabasket.com

Al Ahli Benghazi managed to win over the neighbor's AL-halal team, and be credited to the ninth round of Libyan Basketball League, in the match that brought the two teams on Friday. And the imposition of civil - hopeful to keep the title - rhythm and control of the match and was able to end the first quarter in favor of the outcome of 23 to 17 In the second quarter and the team continued its domination of the National meeting and managed to win the outcome of 40 to 33 in the third quarter increased the excitement and thrill between the two teams, and regained his balance and resolve the Al-halal quarter in its favor the outcome of 53 to 52 In the last quarter of the match returned to impose the same civil and control and was able to finish the game in its favor the outcome of 67 versus 75

UGANDA : NBA experience thrills Ugandan youngsters

Basketball in Uganda is on an upward trend. From the national league to school competitions, there is sufficient evidence that basketball administrators have made an effort to uplift the standards of the game. But unlike Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has not made any noteworthy basketball exports.

Last year, Tanzania actually had their first draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with Hasheem Thabeet becoming the first East African to attain that feat. The NBA is the home of basketball in the world and for an East African country to have a player in any of the NBA teams is an enormous achievement.

Uganda looks so far from getting her first draft but one gifted young player has a career dream of featuring in the NBA. James Lule was in America in October last year on a trip sponsored by Coca-Cola under their Sprite brand and got enough inspiration to pursue that dream. “I watched some NBA games on the courtside and felt like some day, I should play on those courts,” the 18-year-old player said.

Lule was among three players selected by former San Antonio Spurs star Steve Smith to take part in an NBA camp. Emmanuel Enabu and Derrick Katumba were the others picked by Smith as the country’s best upcoming players. The trio spent a week in America with the All-Africa select team undergoing intensive training and learning fundamentals of the game. Kenya had two players on the All-Africa team while Uganda, Angola, Tanzania and Mozambique fielded three each.

Although they lost most of the friendly games they played against American school teams, the boys had a lifetime experience. “It was thrilling,” Lule recalled.

MemoriesFor four days, they were in Washington DC and got a chance to watch the Wizards playing against Memphis Grizzlies. They later headed to Tennessee where they had a feel of college basketball and sat on the courtside as Memphis Grizzlies hosted Detroit Pistons. “Watching those NBA games is the most memorable thing that happened during that trip,” Lule reminisced. “It was inspiring.”

An ardent Detroit Pistons fan, Lule admitted getting selected from the hundreds of players to go to USA was a surprise but a reward for his determination.

“In 2009, I attended trials to go for the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp in South Africa but was left out. It was disappointing,” he revealed. “But this time round when they told me I had been selected, I was thrilled. There were very many good guys and you had to be very good to make the cut.”

Standing at 6 inch, 3 ft and weighing 75kgs, Lule has what most players in Uganda lack: physique. And he is still growing. “I have realised that we have the talent in Uganda but our players are not physical enough. It’s very hard to compete at the top level when you don’t have power,” he revealed. Born to Mr and Mrs Michael Nsereko of Ggaba Road, Lule’s love for basketball is unrivalled.

It’s too much that at times it rubs his parents the wrong way. For instance while going for the NBA camp selection trials at UCU Mukono, Lule never informed his parents thinking they would stop him. “I only learnt that he was going for trials at the last minute,” his mother Deborah Nsereko, an accountant, explained. “I had no option but to drive him to Mukono and I am happy he made it.”

To make sure he doesn’t spend all his time playing basketball and forget about education, Lule’s parents advised him to leave St Mary’s College Kisubi (Smack) – a boarding school and join Mengo Secondary – a day school.

At Mengo, the parents are able to interact with Lule and make sure he revises his books regularly. “We want to monitor him properly,” the mother revealed. “We are in an environment where one can’t earn a living from sports. Much as we want him to do sports, he has to put emphasis on education.” And the progress in class is encouraging, at least from the mother’s point of view. “He is doing well,” the mother noted.

Lule is left with one year of secondary school education and wants to get through with it before dedicating most of his time to basketball. “I love basketball but I know education is important. However, soon I will start playing in the national league and see what the future holds for me,” he remarked.

His colleague Enabu is already a hit in the topflight league having played a vital role in guiding DMark Power to their fourth Fuba League title. Katumba is also a major target for the country’s top clubs and should make a breakthrough next season.

But Lule doesn’t feel any pressure to impress on the local scene. He displayed his skills in USA and there is a likelihood scouts can come for him anytime. Comfortable in every position on the court apart from pointing, Lule has only been a competitive basketballer for three years.

In 2008, he represented Smack in the National Schools Basketball Association (NASBA) tournament but they were knocked out in second round. In 2009 and 2010, he was part of the Mengo team that reached the quarterfinals in the NASBA tournament. He, however, hasn’t won any individual accolades. Having visited the US, Lule appreciated the hurdles Ugandans must overcome to make it to the top.

“There is need for the concerned authorities to invest more in basketball. The national team must participate in continental tournaments if we are to make a step ahead,” he noted. “The facilities in schools have to be improved.”

The third born of four siblings, Lule is following in the footsteps of his two elder brothers Peter Busulwa and Paul Kayongo. Busulwa plays college basketball in Utah, USA. Although none of his parents excelled in sports, Lule’s passion is a clear indication he will go places. “Ever since he was a child, he showed signs of liking sports and we are supporting him,” his mother noted.

UGANDA : Champions

Ben Komakech led an impressive haul of trophies for champions DMark Power by clinching his second Most Valuable Player (MVP) award during the annual MTN-Fuba basketball dinner on Friday night at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

The point guard collected the prestigious play-offs’ gong having led the team to a thrilling 4-3 series victory over Kyambogo Warriors last month. “It means a lot to win this because you never get tired of being appreciated. I play in the most talented team which makes it easy,” said Komakech, also MVP in 2008. UCU Lady Canons’ Maureen Amoding beat her teammate Lorraine Akinyi to the women’ postseason MVP award though the latter took the top scorer’s crown just like Power’s Joseph Ikong.

Having finished the regular season as top seeds, UCU swept A1 Challenge 4-0 in the finals. Power’s Norman Blick and KIU Rangers’ Judith Nansobya took the MVP tokens for the regular season.

In the new categories, Emmanuel Enabu got the rookie of the year award whereas Charging Rhino coach John Omondi took the best tactician’s gong. Shooting guard Mark Opio collected two crowns, one for top scorer and the other for MVP in Omondi’s team.

15 January 2011

ZONA VI : Zambia women fall to Zimbabwe for the second time

Zimbabwe women met Zambia for their second game against each other in the tournament. The first time these two teams met, it was a massacre for the Zimbabwean team as they marched over a Zambian team that could not seem to get the ball into the basket.

Fast forward to the second game between these two teams – going into the game, it was almost obvious that the Zimbabwean team would dominate like they did in the first game, right? Wrong? Zambia started the game and outhustled, outran and outscored the Zimbabwean team 19-14 in the first quarter. That’s more points than they scored in the entire first half in the first game between these teams. The Zimbabwean team was playing their reserves most of the game – none of the usual starters played more than 10 minutes.In the second quarter, after a well deserved tongue lashing from their coach, Zimbabwe returned with purpose and scored 27 points in the period, with Zambia only managing 7. But then a lacklustre offensive showing slowed them down again in the third quarter as Zambia was double teaming the point guard up top, forcing turnovers and getting fast break baskets.

Zimbabwe was having trouble containing P Mbale (15), who caused problems for them in the first game also. M Wakumelo (5) also scored 4 out of 6 attempts from beyond the arc en route to a team high 12 points for Zambia. Both teams scored 13 apiece in the third period and Zimbabwe had a 15 point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Zambia seemed to then run out of gas in this one and Zimbabwe won it 74 – 51. The player of the game was Ethel Luta(15 Zimbabwe), who got a double – double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, after not playing at all in their last game against South Africa.

ZONA VI : Jan 15Mozambique Women cruise past South Africa easily

The second round between the two teams was another blowout in Mozambique’s favour. They started the game pressing South Africa in a 2-2-1 press and forcing them into early turnovers. South Africa was making the mistake of trying to dribble through the press, and as a result the team made 38 turnovers in the game, with 21 of them coming from their point guards. This allowed Mozambique to get into their transition game early and outscore their opponents by 37-14 in the first.

The second quarter was much of the same and Mozambique went on a barrage from downtown en-route to making 11 out of 20 attempts from three point land in the game. The South African ladies seemed out of wind, out of sync and vastly overmatched up against Mozambique as they headed into half time trailing 24 -71. An interesting observation was creeping up on me at this stage – Anabela Cossa (6 Mozambique) was yet to miss an attempt in this game – she was perfect from the field.In the third, South Africa returned, motivated not to turn this game into a laugher, and played intense defense against Mozambique, holding them to just 10 points in the period while scoring 11. It was in this period, that South Africa should have capitalised on Mozambique and ran on them, but we haven’t seen too many transition baskets from them in this tournament. The two teams entered the fourth with Mozambique convincingly ahead 81-35. The fourth quarter was much like the first two quarters and South Africa was out-scored 30-16 points in their worst loss yet.

Ladies: South Africa vs. MozambiqueAnabela Costa finally missed, on an attempt from beyond the arc. For South Africa, it was like re-living a bad dream as they were once again unable to contain Leia Dongue (12) who erupted for a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. She almost dunked twice in the game, causing most of the fans in the arena to rise from their seats. Mozambique captured this one 111 – 51.

ZONA VI : South Africa men demolish struggling Malawi.

Basketball is a numbers game. 47; that’s how many points Malawi scored in their first game against Zimbabwe. 47; that’s how many points they scored against Mozambique. Malawi came into this game having lost their last two games by a combined total of 96 points. Therefore, fans expected South Africa to come in and tear them up from the beginning, but Malawi had other plans. They started this game on a 5-0 run and South Africa seemed out of sync to begin it. The first quarter was an unimpressive 9-9 yawner that had fans shifting uncomfortably in their seats wondering what was happening to the South African squad.

In the second quarter, they came back with intense full court man to man defense that Malawi had no answers for. South Africa used their size to their advantage in closing out passing lanes, doubling and trapping the much smaller Malawian players, who committed 29 turnovers in the game. South Africa dominated glass, ripping down 50 rebounds, while Malawi had 31 boards. One of the ongoing trends for the Malawian team in this tournament has been their bad shot selection. They shot 18.5% from the field against Zimbabwe and 32.6% against Mozambique. In this game they shot a dismal 14.6%. This is a testament to South Africa’s team defense. We should not forget that in their first game, South Africa held Zimbabwe to zero field goals in the first 8 minutes of the fourth quarter to snatch the victory.

South Africa was helped by the emergence of K Ngotjane (8) who played his most minutes so far in the tournament and was clearly the best player for his team in the game. He played aggressive defense and efficient offense en route to a game leading 16 points and 7 rebounds. Wayne Mhlongo (4), also played a game high 28 minutes and was very active defensively. In the final quarter, South Africa blitzed Malawi and outscored them 22-5 to win the game 62 -29.

Things to note:

Malawi had no player scoring above 6 points; they cannot expect to win ball games if they do not make a concerted effort to attack the basket and score

Wayne Mhlongo and K Ngotjane played 23:40 and 28:18 minutes respectively and were key to overcoming the slow start by South Africa. In the last game, they played jus 02:55 and 01:38 each. This proves that the South African team’s talent goes 12 men deep.

Malawi has now lost 3 games by a combined total of 129 points. That’s losing games by an average of 43 points

The highly anticipated matchup between Zimbabwe and South Africa’s women’s teams lived up to its hype. In a game that was the fastest paced so far in the tournament, there was no clear favourite and both teams fought tooth and nail till the final buzzer. This game featured 3 lead changes and 5 times when the score was tied. Zimbabwe started off the game in a man to man defense, and South Africa countered that by running a high screen and roll offense. South Africa’s shots were not in the first 4 minutes of the game, and Zimbabwe got off to a running start, largely in part to 8 first quarter points by Helina Nyagato (8). But South Africa quickly rallied back when Gabisile Ndlangamandla (5) provided a much needed spark off the bench to finish the quarter tied at 15-15. The two teams continued to trade baskets and play stingy defense for much of the second period and the game was tied at 28-28 heading into half time.

In the third quarter, South Africa seemed to have trouble containing the dribble penetration of Margaret Magwaro (5) as she consistently drove to the basket and got to the free throw line a game high 8 times. Zimbabwe managed to get to the free throw line 33 times, making 67% of those attempts, while South Africa got to the charity stripe only 18 times, but made 15 of their attempts. This is also because South Africa had almost twice as many three point attempts (13 – 7) than Zimbabwe. Gabisile continued where she had left in the previous game and made 4 out of 9 three pointers. It has gotten to the point where one gets shocked if she misses from deep. She has hit 8 out of 25 (32%) long range shots in the tournament so far. Scoring tipped slightly in Zimbabwe’s favour in this quarter and they headed into the fourth quarter with a four point lead. South Africa would rally back behind consistent play from J Van Wyk (8), and Takalani Mfamadi (4) and Gabisile, but Zimbabwe countered with Margaret Magwaro (5), Helina Nyagato (8), and Sharon Chamwarura (12). In the end, Zimbabwe managed to hold on to a closely contested battle and took the game 63 -58.

TANZANIA : Vijana face Oilers in RBA league

Dar es Salaam. After a five-day break, Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball League resumes today at the National Indoor Stadium with two matches on the menu.

Vijana, fondly referred to as “City Bulls,” take on Oilers in what promises to be an intriguing affair.Airwing, still reeling after a painful 120-38 defeat to ABC, have yet another tricky date today as they face fancied Chang’ombe United at the same venue.The day will also see PT stars battling it out with Savio while Tanzania Prisons take on UDSM.But most basketball fans will have their attention focused on the Vijana-Oilers match, which is the highlight of this weekend RBA programme.Mohammed Ali, best known to his fans as “Dibo,” is one of the players Oilers must mark tightly if they are to avoid a defeat in the anxiously awaited match.Vijana’s coach Bahati Mgunda predicted a tough game yesterday, saying the best team would win.“Oilers are a good team as those who have seen them in action can attest, but I am optimistic we’ll overcome them tomorrow,” Mgunda said. Lady Lioness are on the sidelines until tomorrow when they take on CMTU in the one of the women series at the same venue.

JKT, one of the most feared women’s basketball teams in the country, will face Vijana Queens in another interest-generating match.Jeshi Stars will lock horns with Cargo ladies in another tomorrow’s match, while Dar es Salaam Police will be up against Tanzania Prisons.The RBA League, which started last weekend, has attracted 22 teams. Eight of them are women’s teams and the rest are men’s.

UGANDA : Malinga, Kasewu dropped from national team

By Ismail D. Kigongo http://www.monitor.co.ug/

Beating the evening traffic jam in Kampala is just one of the hurdles Team Uganda has had to negotiate so far in preparation for the Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Championship in Kigali, Rwanda early next month.

Players often arrive at their own pace to board the team van that leaves YMCA, Wandegeya anytime between 5.30 and 6pm for UCU, Mukono.

Thanks to the Northern bypass, training for the men and women’s teams starts minutes before dark and goes on under floodlights for a period no less than two and half hours. Since the teams assembled on Tuesday, coach Gad Eteu and his women’s equivalent Mandy Juruni have conducted intense drills aimed at getting a quick response from players before the February 1-6 event.

And following today’s double workout at East Kololo court, Eteu should have an idea on who might make the grade from the 17.

Gulu Hawks’ Andrew Opio is also missing with no reason being given by team management. One of the beneficiaries of the absenteeism is Power’s Isaac Luggude, now promoted from the reserves.

“I don’t expect to pick anyone yet to show up because now we are trying to work on philosophy of how the team should play,” Eteu said in slamming the door in the faces of the quartet. “After the weekend, I should be able to cut the team to 14 players then prune it to the final (12-man) list on Tuesday.”

His biggest headaches during training arose in the selection of either UCU Canons’ Jimmy Enabu or Charging Rhino’s Mark Opio for one of the two shooting guard slots.

Little was known to some about the latter until he helped Rhino earn promotion to the topflight league and exhibited near-perfect shooting in practice.

Robert Mubiru and Brian Ssentogo are the only centres in practice which gives them a good chance as Eteu noted that he won’t select more than two players per position.

“Isaac (Afidra), Stephen (Omony) and Norman (Blick) will very helpful since they can both play on the inside and outside but no one’s place is guaranteed. Luggude is working extremely hard which is good to see,” the coach noted. Some players were feeling the after effects of rust following the conclusion of the Fuba League finals last month. “I had not touched a ball since Game Seven against Warriors so I am pleased with the drills,” point guard Ben Komakech said, a view which represented so many of his teammates.

14 January 2011

ZIMBABWE : Zimbabwe vs. Zambia

(by Thomas Fink) africabasket.com Men: Zimbabwe vs. Zambia

The second game of the day between Zambia and Zimbabwe men featured a gutsy performance by Zambia, who seem to have taken upon the moniker of the Comeback Kids (more on that later) in this tournament. Both teams started the game slow with a mediocre 12-10 first quarter performance in Zimbabwes favour. The second quarter saw Zimbabwe racing out to a 10-3 run early and seemingly taking control of the contest. They outscored Zambia 26-10 in this quarter and had a comfortable 18 point cushion heading into the half leading 38-20.

In the third quarter, the roles were reversed, as Zimbabwe looked shell-shocked at the energy Zambia came out with. S Mfwaume (14) sparked this run for Zambia with a step back 3 pointer, followed by a spin in the lane and fade away jumper that is reminiscent of a younger Kobe Bryant. He came back on the next possession and drained another 3 pointer half a metre away from the three point line.

The momentum was shifting to Zambias favour as Mfwaume had just scored 10 points in under 3 minutes. Zambia was also now employing a 2-2-1 full court press to force Zimbabwe to turn the ball over and to rush their offense. Most of Zimbabwes 26 turnovers came in this period. By the end of the third period, Zimbabwe had a narrow 48-46 lead and they had been outscored 26-10.

The fourth quarter begins, fans, media, and players alike are on the edge of their seats to see what else these two teams had in store for us. The teams go back and forth, methodically, prancing around each other like seasoned boxers, and at the 04:00 mark in the fourth; Zimbabwe up 57-56, the fun begins. C Mufwaume (10 Zambia) drains a 3, Tatenda M (9 Zimbabwe) answers back with a 3 pointer of his own.

S Mfwaume (14 Zambia replies) with a 14 foot mid range jumper, and on the other end F Tumbare (4 Zimbabwe), drains a tough baseline jumper. Its starting to look like a fast paced tennis match as fans heads swing left and right in unison on each possession taking in the action. However, Tawanda Chitsinde (15 Zimbabwe) wore his heart on his sleeve and provided the play that sparked the final run for Zimbabwe, driving to the basket for a three point play.

He makes his free throw, and Zimbabwe start trapping the Zambian defenders and running in transition, getting to the free throw line. He has a hand in each of the final possessions for Zimbabwe and he is proving that he can be much in the clutch. In the end, Zimbabwe hold on through sheer will, tenacity to win this one 71-66 over Zambia.

Facts of the Game:

Zambia is taking on the mantle of Comeback Kids in this tournament, having climbed their way out of a 20 point hole against Mozambique in their previous game to then lose the game by 9. They outscored Mozambique 25 14 in the final quarter of play

Zimbabwes veteran starting centre, Farai Tumbare (4) arrived late for the tournament and gave his team much needed leadership and a boost on his way to a game leading 17 points and 4 rebounds

Cross-over

S Mfwaume (15) had a team 15 points, while A Mwansa (7) had 11 rebounds for Zambia.

CAMEROON : South West - Result for the first basketball day

The South West Regional League of Basketball was on its 2nd Day of Play on Sunday 09/01/2011 at the Molyko Sports Complex.This day had a massive participation of teams from the region apart from Pamol BC that had a technical problem to reach Buea from Ekondo Titi changing then the original fixtures.

Apart from the Regional Championship a new organisation was launched in the Region known as Basketball For Development by a German based Non Governmental Organisation.Present were the President of Cameroon Basketball Federation Mr. T S Nduku, the coordinators of the German Based NGO Mr/Mrs. Peter Kreuzinger, the Regional League President Mr. I. E. Mbella, members of the regional league, teams from the South West Region, journalist and thegeneral public .

This is a German organisation promoting Basketball to motivate young people to participate in social activities, health sensitisation and environmental programs.Basketball for Development establishes and runs basketball centres where registered young people- girls are especially welcome - can organise themselves to play basketball, to help and support each other and to plan and elaborate activities to improve living conditions and environment. Frequent basketball tournaments are organised to compete and present activities where interesting price are waiting for thewinners. Sport and social performance are contributing to the tournament team scores.

DMark Power and UCU Lady Canons ended the previous season with huge smiles on their faces having won the MTN-Fuba League titles in the respective divisions.

This evening, that smile can grow bigger as Fuba reward the best performers during the annual awards gala to be held at Imperial Royale Hotel. Among the glittering 34 trophies to be handed out, most of the attention will be paid to the four Most Valuable Player (MVP) gongs with the best men’s and women’s players in both the play-offs and regular season rewarded.

From Power’s legion that clinched a fourth title, forwards Isaac Afidra and Norman Blick plus point guard Ben Komakech are nominees for the post-season category.

Losing 4-3 in the thrilling best-of-seven finals has not shut the door on Kyambogo Warriors guards Ronnie Kasewu and Abdullahi Ramadhan. Blick, a two-time winner before, is also in the running for the regular season gong where Power finished as top seed but competition is expected from teammate Joseph Ikong plus UCU Canons duo of Enabu brothers; Jimmy and Ivan.

Kenyan power forward Richard Osano Omondi, who left Falcons to join Miracle Eagles last month, is also in the running. Lorraine Akinyi is favourite for both women’s top awards. Teammates Anastasia Njeri and Maureen Amoding offer the challenge.

There are also accolades for Coach of the Year, Most Promising Coach, Rookie of the Year and Fair Play Team award.

TANZANIA : Basketball teams` Rwanda trip hangs in balance

The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) is on the brink of failing to send the national team to Rwanda next month to participate in the Africa Zone Five championships because of lack of funds.

The event, which is expected to attract both men and women teams from the countries within the zone, has been scheduled to take place in the Rwandan capital of Kigali.

TBF assistant secretary general Michael Maluwe said the federation needs 20m/- for preparations of the men and women squads and none has so far come out to support them.“We need 20m/- to meet costs for preparations, which include players’ allowances,” he said.He said the federation’s executive committee is expected to meet at the National Sports Council (NSC) hall on Sunday to discuss the country’s participation in the Africa Zone Five championships.“The executive committee was tasked with seeking sponsors for the national teams and we will send the teams to Rwanda should we get sponsorship,” said Maluwe.He said the failure to get financial support will mean the two squads will not go to Kigali and TBF officials, instead, will be there to attend the Zone Five general assembly.Maluwe noted that the federation could opt to send one team if some funds will be available.

Meanwhile, Maluwe urged members of the TBF executive committee to attend the Sunday meeting at the NSC.He said the meeting is crucial to the country’s participation in the regional tournament considering that there is little time left for preparations and the federation is strapped for cash.“We strictly urge all members of the executive committee to attend the meeting,” he said.

13 January 2011

LIBYA : Al Ahli Tripoli / Al Hlal 74-54

In one of the strongest games week Hall 23 light could Ahli Tripoli superiority at home to hlal outcome of a large and arrived at the difference 20 points 74 points versus 54 points, Al Ahli dominated the match from the start, despite attempts by hlal return to the game but knew Ahli how to get out ahead and reap the points to win and maintain the ranked as the third overall and lacks the match, The hlal increased its suffering after losing the fifth even though he has the players at a high level but it seems that the absence of the player Mohammed Issa effect on the level of the team.

KENYA : Basketball saved me

For Anastacia Njeri Mburu, 22, her passion for basketball has opened more doors than she ever imagined, writes Shirley Genga

When did you start playing basketball?

I discovered basketball through my church when I was eleven and, although I was not good at it at first, everyone encouraged me to try it because of my height. I trained almost everyday, focusing on shooting and dribbling. At St Teresa Girls’ High School, I joined the basketball team and during the holidays, I played for the Kenya Christian Training Institute (KCITI) team.

When did you start playing professionally?

After clearing high school in 2005, I continued to play for KCITI while doing Computer Engineering at the same institution. In 2007, the team was disbanded and I joined Mennonites where we were number two in the National Division Two League. In 2008, I moved to the Eagle Wings Team. Moving from KCITI to Mennonites was easy because I had moved with some of my old team-mates and I was still playing the position of post player.

However, everything changed when I joined Eagle Wings. There were bigger post players than me and the postposition was all about mass, so the coach forced me to play the position of a shooting guard.

A post player’s function is basically rebounding, controlling defence and blocking while a shooting guard’s primary role is to score.

It was very hard for me to readjust. I cried often as I practiced for the new position.

In 2009, I was called upon to play for the Africa Zone Five National Team qualifiers in Rwanda. It was a wonderful experience and we were number two in the tournament.

Last year, my club Eagle Wings was at Zone Five Club championships in Burundi and I was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Because of your performance during the championship, you got a scholarship. Tell us about it.

I got a basketball scholarship at the Ugandan Christian University. The full scholarship did not only allow me to play, but also paid for my degree in Information Technology. I have been in Uganda since September last year and only came back last month.

What is it like playing in Uganda?

Anastacia Njeri Mburu

Their basketball league is more organised, transparent, has better leaders and most importantly, has the government’s support. In Uganda, basketball has high standards of professionalism and players earn a good living unlike in Kenya where one has to work during the day and play in the evening to survive.

How was it adjusting to a new team?

They had seen how I played in Rwanda during the Zone Five Club championships and they were a little scared of me (laughs), but they were nice and welcoming. It was fun playing there and my university won the National Ugandan University League last year.

So when are you going back to Uganda?

I will not go back to Uganda, as a new door has opened. I have received a full basketball scholarship to study at Jacksonville University in Texas, which has one of the best female basketball teams in the US. My scholarship covers everything including accommodation and my degree in Information Technology, which I intend to compete.

Did you always know you would be a professional basketball player?

No. When I was young, I loved mathematics and I wanted to be a pilot. I also thought of being a model because I was tall and skinny and people told me my height was perfect for modelling. However, when I discovered basketball, I was passionate about it and started dreaming of playing for the national team.

What type of a childhood did you have?

I grew up in Mathare and I’m the lastborn in a family of three. We were brought up by our father, as our mother left when I was six. Our father was everything to us and the three of us are still very close to him.

Can you say basketball saved you?

Given my humble background and environment, many of my age mates were caught up in wrong things and didn’t achieve much. I can say with confidence that basketball saved me. It kept me busy during high school holidays and out of mischief. It has also opened many doors for me. I look back and marvel at how far I have come because of basketball.

How many awards have you won so far and what do they mean to you?

I have won many awards, but the most notable are: Most Valuable Player in 2010, Top Scorer 2009, Best Forward 2008 and Best Shooter 2008. These awards are a confirmation that my hard work is bearing fruit.

What was the lowest point in your career?

When I accompanied the national team to participate in the Zone Five qualifiers for the African championship in 2009 and sat on the bench throughout the whole tournament. The coach did not let me play and it was so demoralising. I felt sorry for myself, but promised to work harder. My efforts paid off last year when my club worn the Zone Five Club championship in Burundi and I won the MVP award.

What does your father think of basketball?

He is my biggest fan and he is very supportive because he has seen the opportunities basketball has opened for me. He, however, emphasises the importance of education and encourages me to continue with my studies.

Apart from basketball, you also model. Tell us about that.

With the advantage of my height, I decided to give modelling a try last year and I loved it. I modelled for a sports fashion show and fashion for peace. I love attention and I’m confident, so modelling was not hard. I intend to continue doing it when I get the opportunity.

What can you tell young people aspiring to play professional basketball?

To work hard because nothing good comes easy and also to remember that education is the most important thing to have. I love basketball, but I’m a good student. I work very hard at school and do not leave anything to chance. In case of an injury or any other thing, basketball can end, but I will never lose the knowledge I have acquired.

Future plans?

I would like to finish my degree and to play for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the US — the best female basketball league in the world.

KENYA : Year of mixed fortunes

By ERICK OCHIENG’

The 2010 season has been a year of mixed results for local basketball fraternity.

Just like in football, most teams excelled in local and regional circles but national teams exhibited dismal performances at the international arena.The year commenced on a rather a low note with wrangles between Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) officials and team managers and coaches over amendment of the KBF constitution.The standoff saw the national league delayed upto April after the warring factions agreed to amend some clauses in the KBF constitution.Despite the wrangles, Kenya went a head to win the Fiba Africa Zone V championships in Bujumbura, Burundi.Eagle Wings and Co-operative Bank won the women and men’s category at the regional event with unbeaten records.

Lacked funds

But trouble struck later for Eagle Wings that saw the team fail to represent the zone in Africa Clubs Championships in Tunisia, last moth. Self-supporting Eagle Wings lacked funds to attend the high profile continental event.

But the club had prepared well for the event, going to the extent of calling US-based duo of Silalei Shanice and Rose Ouma."We were confident of finishing in the medal bracket," Eagle Wings’ coach Smatts Olumbo said.Another shame struck KBF when the national Under-18 women’s side was disqualified at an African Youth event in Cairo, Egypt.This was after one of the players, Purity Auma Odhiambo, was found guilty of age-cheating.

One-year ban

Auma was handed a one-year ban, while Kenya, despite topping the group stages after even beating champions Senegal 55-51, was stripped all points. A few weeks later, the country withdrew from participating in the Africa Under-18 boys’ basketball championship citing lack of funds.

Despite all these, women’s team, Predators, won the All Stars Masters Basketball championship in Durban, South Africa, in October.Kenya also stamped their authority in the regional scene when three representatives were voted into the Fiba Africa Zone V committee. Morris Aluanga was voted the Zone President, Vitalis Gode as Secretary General and Ronny Owino as a committee member.

New initiatives arose locally, like the launch of the All Star Basketball Competition that brought together finest players in the league where winners took home Sh100,000 on December 18.

Sprite Slam basketball continued to be a cherished initiative locally where the youths, especially in secondary schools, got a chance to display their skills.The three successful winners for the talent search a cross the nation went for a fully paid trip for a basketball boot camp in the home of National Basketball Association in the US.Ulinzi men won the Division One league as Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women and Co-operative Bank (men) were crowned Premier League champions. Apart from Eagle Wings not being assisted to represent the country in Tunisia, the saddest thing to happen for the game locally was former champions KCB being disqualified in the finals due to chaos.

Also it was sad for women’s team Easter Queens to go down the drains due to lack of sponsorship this year.

KENYA : Basketball is to S. Sudan what athletics is to Kenya

If there is one thing Southern Sudan is famous for in the outside world, it is the super lofty stars with which it has studded the NBA.

Now, as nationhood beckons, it is basketball that it is looking to to make a name in international sports.

No sporting official in Southern Sudan is in any doubt that the week-long independence referendum which opened on Sunday will have any other outcome than its emergence as the newest entrant on the world sporting stage.And for the region’s impoverished, war-ravaged population, basketball is not just by far the most popular spectator sport; it is also a national treasure.

When the body of 2.31-metre-tall NBA legend Manute Bol was flown home mid last year, not only did president Salva Kiir pay tribute at a requiem mass, but hundreds of mourners walked for miles to attend his burial in his remote home village.

When Southern Sudan celebrated the referendum that they expect to bring a definitive end to five decades of conflict with the north, it put on a series of demonstration tournaments in the regional capital Juba that drew crowds by the thousands.The city’s basketball court is basic — a raised platform above the dust serves as a playing surface and concrete terracing without seats accommodates spectators — but it is the best in all of Southern Sudan.The region is one of the poorest in the world: before Bol achieved fame as a spectacular shot-blocker, he was as a boy cattle herder.

But poverty does not prevent Southern Sudanese sports officials from dreaming of converting the popular flare for the game into sporting success for the new nation. “We will improve the standard of basketball after the referendum as an independent country,” said Gen. Wilson Deng, honorary deputy chairman of the Southern Sudan Basketball Federation.Deng played for Southern Sudan in the short-lived period of peace that reigned between 1972 and 1983. When war broke out again, he immediately joined the rebels, eventually becoming head of sports in the south’s ex-rebel army.He makes no secret of the foreign financial help the new country will need to invest in its facilities and infrastructure if it is to make a mark on the international stage.“We will look for some Good Samaritan who will try to help us in bringing up our standards,” Deng said. “We need the NBA to assist.”

South Sudan’s prospects have been improved by the return home of a number of wartime refugees who had the opportunity to hone their skills in the West and who are now keen to use them to develop the sport in their homeland.Deng Aldo Ajou Deng is brother of Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng, and also played professionally in Britain for the Brixton Topcats in south London and the Plymouth Raiders in the southwest.

Born in the south Sudanese town of Wau in 1976, he fled to Egypt in 1988 and then Britain in 1994 before returning to his homeland with the signing of the 2005 peace agreement between the rebels and the Khartoum government.“Now we’ve got our own country, this is unbelievable for me. It’s been a dream since 1988,” Deng said.

12 January 2011

SOUTH AFRICA : Zone VI: SA camp news

THE sweet taste of victory for the South African senior men’s basketball team in their opening game against Zimbabwe brought along with it a bitter injury blow to team captain Neo Mothiba.

Mothiba landed awkwardly on his left foot in the second quarter during the host nation’s 70-61 victory over their cross-border neighbours in the Fiba Zone VI Games at the University of Pretoria’s indoor centre on Sunday and he did not take part in the team practice yesterday at the match venue. Team coach Flosh Ngwenya lamented the loss of his skipper, but was still confident that he enough material in his squad to do the business for the team in the competition, which serves as qualifier for the for the All Africa Games to held September in Mozambique and the Afrobasket competition to be held in the Ivory Coast.“Definitely it’s a big loss for us. He (Mothiba) is our best player team. He is our leader and he is a very important part of what we are trying to do in the competition,” said Ngwenya. But will go for a second opinion and if he is injured we do have 11 other players in the team to do the job for us. Another injury concern for Ngwenya is guard Brendon Metler who left yesterday’s practice with a back injury but Ngwenya did not let the injuries to his players disrupt his plans as the team were hard at working preparing for the match against Malawi tomorrow.

“Malawi are one of those teams that play scrappy, but have a never say die attitude. So we need to be prepared physically and mentally for them (Malawi). And we have to make adjustments where necessary for this match as I was not particularly impressed with the way we played against Zimbabwe,” said the former Vaal Tech Rhinos player who put emphasis on correcting the mistakes in the opening match.

“I think yesterday we made too many mistakes in the opener. For example we had too many turnovers and now we are working hard to eliminate those mistakes so that we better prepared”Ngwenya remained grounded ahead of the clash against Malawi and said the victory over Zimbabwe did not put them on cloud nine.

“We are under no illusion about Malawi.We have to respect them,” said Ngwenya.

SA team practiceTeam point guard Vincent Ntunja, who hails from Cape Town, highlighted the need to take each game as it comes and not to focus on a particular opponent. “We are taking it one game at a time,” said the Cape Peninsula University of Technology student. “And regardless of who we face, whether it is Malawi or Mozambique, we are here as team to represent the country and we want to play hard.”

Ntunja also believes teamwork will help the team prevail in this tournament. “What I like about this team is that there are no super stars we function as unit and that is what will help the team prosper in this tournament,” said Ntunja.

While the men’s team was successful against Zimbabwe the women’s senior national team lost against Mozambican counterparts 87-56 and they will have to double their efforts against today against Zambia in order to qualify for the women’s basketball competition in the All Africa Games and the women’s Afrobasket in Mali.

LIBYA : D1 Round 8: Morog defeats Nasr in the closest game of the week

D1 round 8 most interesting game took place in Benghazi (derby !!!) between Morog and Nasr. Sixth ranked Morog (4-4) got a very close victory on the road over 3rd ranked Nasr (6-2). Morog managed to escape with a 1-point win 50-49 on Sunday evening. Morog moved-up to fifth place. Nasr at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. They share it with Ittihad. Morog are looking forward to face league's second-placed Ahli Tripoli at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Nasr will play against Jazeera in Zwara and is hoping to win this game. Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Tripoli: Ittihad (#4) and Madina (#7). Madina was smashed at home by 43 points 68-111 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Ittihad (6-2) moved-up to third place, which they share with Nasr. Madina at the other side dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. They share it with Hilal. Ittihad's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tripoli to the arena Yarmook. D1 top team - Ahli Benghazi (6-1) managed to deliver another win on Thursday. This time they beat ninth ranked Yarmook (1-6) 60-51. Ahli Benghazi have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-1 record, which they share with Ahli Tripoli. Yarmook lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with six games lost. Ahli Benghazi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Benghazi to the arena Hilal.

In the last two games of round 8 Hilal was destroyed by Ahli Tripoli on the opponent's court 74-54. Shabab outscored Jazeera in a home game 71-45.

UGANDA : Enabu brothers team up

Three Enabu brothers have been named on the national team to represent Uganda at the Fiba Africa Zone V Championships in Kigali, Rwanda early next month.

UCU captain Ivan Enabu, MVP when Uganda hosted and won the tournament in 2005, is now joined by his younger brothers Jimmy and Emmanuel. Jimmy is Ivan’s teammate whereas the latter impressed in his first season to help DMark Power win a fourth national basketball league title last month.

Coach Gad Eteu sprung up only two surprises in summoning Charging Rhino shooting guard Mark Opio and Gulu Hawks’ centre Andrew Opio to the provisional 20-man squad. “Since the team has very little time, my plan is to stick to the basics and team chemistry. At this point, you cannot decide on how a player shoots,” Eteu said. Eight players will be dropped from the team which started training yesterday at UCU, Mukono. The tournament has attracted Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Just like Eteu, his women’s team counterpart Mandy Juruni is yet to name a skipper. Nabisunsa’s Sharon Karungi earned a maiden call. “Most of the girls in my team are young and excited about playing which is a very good thing,” Juruni said.

During a media gathering at in Kampala yesterday, Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya said Shs55m has been budgeted for the event. He also unveiled short and long-term plans aimed at building the national teams. “We plan to introduce teams for U-12 and U-16 from now on. Concurrently, we are holding discussions with Kenya and Rwanda to have a regional tournament,” Tashobya revealed.

UGANDA : FUBA in a cash crisis

BASKETBALL governing body FUBA are way short of the sh60m they need to prepare and send the national men and women teams to next month’s Zone V All Africa Games qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda, writes Charles Mutebi and Usher Komugisha.

The federation currently has sh10m, which it will use in the non-residential training for the two teams. The 20-man squads, released yesterday, will spend the next three weeks training at Uganda Christian University Mukono before being cut to 12 players each. In the meantime, FUBA are frantically searching for the missing sh50m.

Meanwhile, the 2010 FUBA awards will take place this Friday at the Imperial Royale Hotel.

11 January 2011

FIBA Africa Zone 3 constitutes body

FIBA-Africa Zone-3 has constituted its executive body that will run the affairs of the zone until the next congress of the regional body in 2014.

The zone headed by a Nigerian, Muktar Adamu Khaleh, has Coffi Tonon Pierre of Republic of Benin as Secretary General, Nigeria’s Segun Ikuesan as Administrative Secretary, while Joseph Gérard Amon of Cote d’Ivoire is to over-see the zone’s Technical Commission.

The Competition Commission will be under one time president of the zone, Mamadou Belem from Burkina Faso; Ghana’s Gamal Idrisu is in-charge of Junior/ Development Council, Togolise federation; Lawson Nadouvi heads the Medical Council, while Pratt Fred of Liberia takes charge of the Media Council.

Patricia Lorougnon from Cote d’Ivoire is a Co-opted member. The President of the zone, Khaleh, who was elected last July during the Congress of the Africa ruling body, FIBA-Africa in Bamako, Mali, known as ‘Malone’ is to preside over the Zone in all its activities.

Khaleh have held several positions both in Nigeria and at the continental level. In Nigeria, he is the 1st Vice-President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, where he is the chairman of the Nigeria Technical Commission and also serves as the head of Nigeria DSTV Premier League Board. He is a FIBA-Africa certified Match Commissioner.

The Zonal Secretary-General, Pierre is the Secretary-General of the Benin Basketball Federation and recently qualified as FIBA-Africa Match Commissioner, while the administrative-secretary, Ikuesan, is the Media Officer of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF and also a Correspondent for FIBA-Africa website and the world body’s, FIBA World and eurobasket.com.

Ikuesan is also a commentator with African leading pay-television, SuperSport and Media/ Communications crew member of FIBA- Africa Secretariat. Amon is a certified FIBA-World Match Commissioner and key figure in Africa basketball, Belem is the zonal former president and a FIBA- World Match Commissioner, while Idrisu is the Vice-President of Ghana Basketball Federation and one-time international referee for both continent and the world.

Dr. Nadouvi is the President of Togo Basketball Federation while Fred is the Secretary-General of Liberia Basketball Federation and Lorougnon, is a former national team player of Cote d’Ivoire and now works at the Secretariat of FIBA-Africa.

The zone made up of eight West Africa countries, Benin republic, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger Republic, Nigeria and Togo is saddled with the responsibility of developing, promoting the slamming and dunking game thus complimenting the role of FIBA-Africa.

Mozambique rolls past Malawi in Day 2 of the FIBA Zone VI Qualifiers

In a demonstration of their offensive prowess and tenacious defense, Mozambique started the game on a 14-0 run and denied Malawi their first basket until there was 4:59 left in the first quarter. The Mozambican team connected on 3 three pointers early on and kept the fans on the edge of their seats with some thunderous dunks. Their blueprint for success was simple: play ferocious, in your face, smelling your breath kind of defense to ignite the transition game. And if the quick basket was not there, they exhibited fluid ball movement, looking for the shot they wanted, which more often than not was a three pointer in the corner. H Chisamanga (7) from Malawi tried to spark his team with two drives to the basket in the dying minutes of the first quarter. The first quarter ended with Mozambique comfortably leading 27-8.Play resumed in the second quarter and Mozambique continued from where they left, only this time they were attempting to take advantage of back door cuts. Their athletic, long limbed defenders continued to cause trouble for Malawi, forcing shot clock violations and forcing them to take bad shots. The Malawian coach called a time out 2:50 into the second quarter. They came out of the timeout having adjusted their defense to double team the ball at the top of the key, so they could force it out of the point guard’s hands. Mozambique however, had many weapons on offense, whether it was their 3 point shooters, who connected on 10 of their 27 attempts from downtown, or their hustling, versatile post players who vacuumed rebounds and took care of their defensive board. And on occasion, their athletic wings got into the lane and finished above the rim. Mozambique matched their point total from the first quarter, and the teams headed to the locker rooms at halftime with Malawi down 20-54. It was a blowout in the making.

In the third, Malawi continued to miss defensive assignments and Mozambique connected on many back door plays. However, H Chisamanga (7), of Malawi had other plans and continued the hot shooting from the first half and shot a three pointer at the 8:52 mark. This would be the last time he’d score in the game as the Mozambican defense adjusted to him. However, J Kunyenda (15) tried to carry the Malawian team on his back and connected on 3 of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc. But Mozambique continued to dominate the game, and would not allow their opponents to go on a run. They provided fans a tonne of highlights, with 8 dunks, 4 of them being in traffic, and one in particular being a backhand “get in my poster” dunk on an unsuspecting Malawian big man.

Malawi only made 7 assists in the game while Mozambique dished the rock 28 times. In fact, D Canivete (6), Mozambique had 6 assists, just one less than the entire Malawian team. The Mozambican team continued their drubbing of the Malawian team in the fourth and were now trying to give the fans something to make them jump out of their seats. They even attempted an alley-oop off an inbounds pass from the sideline, but couldn’t connect on the play. F Mandlate (7), led Mozambique with 22 points (including 4 out of 5 three pointers), 4 assists and 6 rebounds. D Canivete (6) had a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, while A Motos (14), had 20 points for the winning side. H Chisamanga (7) and J Kunyenda (15) had 10 points each for Malawi.

In the end, Mozambique surgically picked Malawi apart and won the game easily. Final score, Mozambique 114, Malawi 47.